crandall



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. S. GRANDALL.

- TELEGRAPH KEY AND REGISTER. No. 344,351. Patented June 29, 1886.

w tness as A3111 emior @ym. 6x I (No Model.) 1 2Sheets-Sheet 2.

L. S. GRANDALL.

TELEGRAPH KEY AND REGISTER.

No. 344,351. Patented June 29, 1886.

r llliiiililh 5 Witnesses ghven tor u. PEIERS. Phnm-Limo nphlr. Washington. a. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I. LUOIEN s. GRANDALL, or SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

TELEGRAPH KEY AND REGISTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 344,351, dated June 29, 1886.

Application filed June 8, 1885. Serial No. 167,994. (No model.)

movement of the rear end of a when any given To all whom it may Co ce also the connection thereof to one of the eleven Be it known that I, LUOIEN S. CRANDALL, actuating-bails, and its general relation to the a citizen of the United States, residing at Syrfinger-key levers. Fig. 6 is another view of acuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of the parts shown in Fi 5, showing the eleven New York, have invented a new and useful determinators as they are grouped in the in- Improvement in Telegraph Keys and Regisstrument, also showing a section of one of the ters, of which the following is a specification. actuating-bails with notches in its lower edge,

Myinvention may be broadly designated as a so placed that certain of the finger-key levers 6o "mechanicalsubstitute for manual dexterityiu will act upon it and certain others will not,

the production and recording of telegraphic according to a predetermined arrangement. signals, and its principal object is to pro Fig. 7 is a top view of the upper plate of the vide a means whereby comparatively unskilled instru ment, with the register and its supportpersons may transmit and receive telegraphic ing'frame removed so as to expose the vibrat- 6 5 messages under the Morse system. ing arm, return-spring, contact-tongue, lock- 1 5 The principal elements of my invention are, ing-cam, and returnst-op of the circuit-closer first, a key-board similar to that of a typeand their general relation to the eleven deterwriter; second, a circuit-breaker or transmitminators. Fig.8 is a sectional view of Fig. 7 ting device; third, intermediate mechanism on thelineXX. Fig.9isatop view of the conconnecting the former with the latter; fourth, tact-tongue and locking-cam and the eleven de- 20 a recording device or receiver; fifth, a motor terminating elements of the circuit-breaker as L operating the mechanism of both transmitter they would appear at the moment of operating and receiver; sixth, a governor controlling the proper finger-key lever to produce the said motor, all automatic in operation and in- Morse character representing the first letter 7 5 dependent of the operator after his initial of the alphabet. Fig. 10 is another View of 2 touch upon any given member of the key- Fig. 9, and is designed to further explain the board. position of the parts thereof. Fig. 11 is an The above mentioned elements are more enlarged view of the writing-wheel or rotary fully described hereinafter. Reference is also stylus, showing means for adjusting the same had to the accompanying drawings, which longitudinally, so as to utilize more than one 0 form a part of this specification, and in which section of the receiving-tape. Fig. 12 is a secthronghout the several views similar letters tional view of Fig. 11, and shows more clearly refer to similar parts. its elements and method of construction. Fig.

By my invention telegraphic signals idcn- 13 is an enlarged view of the governor-wheel 3 tical with those of the Morse system are prowith return-spring of the same and its general 3 5 duced and recorded; but the means by which relation to the governor-driving wheel on main I obtain these results will be better undershaft of register. Fig. 14 is a sectional view stood if it is borne in mind at the outset that of the governor-wheel; and Fig. 15 is a perwhereas by the Morse key in general use the spcctive View of the same with local circuitsignals are produced at moments of magnetibreaker,'local circuit closer, and governor- 4o zation, by my key and register they are prowheel stop in position at moment of magnetiduced at moments of den'lagnetization. zation of main line,all of which are more par- In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 ticularly set forth hereinafter. represents a plan view of my automatic tele- The key-levers a are preferably grouped,as

graph key and register. Fig. 2 is a side elein Figs. 1 and 2, and are provided each with a 45 vation of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear view, delettered button, a; In their general features signed to show the relation of the moving parts they so closely resemble those of a type-writer to the motor. Fig. at is a front view, designed as to need no particular description. They to show more clearly the relation of the reg are hung on a shaft, 1), and their rear ends fit 1 istering device to the circuit-closer. Fig. 5 loosely in a guiding-comb, 0, which is pro- 50 is a detail view, designed to show the peeuvided with a cap, cl, recessed to receive the liar features common to each one of the eleven stop-cushion e, which operates to arrest the determinating elements of the circuit-breaker,

letter key or button is struck by the operator. The rear end of a ordinarily rests on the cushion f. Resting across a are eleven bails, g. which are hung on the shaft h. These bails are cut away, as at h, Fig. 6, according to a predetermined scheme, so that certain of the key-levers, when oscillated by the operator,will raise q,and certain of them will not,according as g is or is not cut away over said key-levers. By this means it will be seen that any given key-lever may be made to lift up any predetcrmined combination of the bails 9. For example, if,as in case of the Morse character for the first letter of the alphabet, bails Nos. 1, 3, and 4 are to be lifted, all others of the eleven bails will be cut away, as at h, over the key-lever set apart to represent said first letter of the alphabet, and so forth. Each of the bails g is near its center provided with a forwardly-projecting arm, as at 'i, Fig. 5, to which is rigidly attached one of the eleven determinators j,which determinators are placed closely side by side and oscillate on the same shaft,h,as do the bails g. The determinators j are provided at their free ends with a plane surface, k, curved symmetrically with the path of their oscillation on h, a tooth-shaped cam, Z, and another plane surface, m, somewhat nearer than 75 to the center of oscillation.

The office of k, Z, and m will be explained further on.

On the top plate, a, (see Figs. 7 and 8,) is

mounted an arm, 0, which is capable of a.

hingewise oscillation on the short shalt p, and also of an up-and-down oscillation by means of a spring which is formed on 0, as at q. This arm is provided with a return-spring,q, whereby its hingewise oscillations are always brought to rest at the stop-pin 1. On 0 is also mounted the circuit closing contact tongue 8, which rests upon and slides over the determinators j at 70, whenever 0 is caused to oscillate hingewise. By reference to Fig. 7 it will be seen that the free ends ofj are arranged on a curved line symmetrical with the path of the free end of 0. If, now, it is understood that the determinators j, through the bails g and shaft h, constitute one element of an electrical circuit, of which 3, through 0 and p, is the other element, it Will readily be seen. that if 0 is caused to oscillate excursively over the determinators when grouped, as in Fig. 7, the circuit will remain closed,because of the contact of s on j at k; but if the free ends of certain of the determinators are withdrawn out of the path of sas, for example, in Fig. 9the circuit will be interrupted in a predetermined manner. The free end of 0 is provided with a friction-pad, t, which, when said free endis lifted, impinges on the register-platen a. If this occurs when u is in motion, 0 will be caused to oscillate thereby and carry 8' over j. The motion of a is always in adirection calculated to carry 0 away from r. If, therefore, by any means the free end of o is lifted so as to bring 15 into contact with u, the circuit-closing tongue 8 will be caused to pass over j in a direction contrary to the retractile effort of g. If, at any moment in said passage of s over j,the upward pressure on the free end of 0 is removed,

said free end will drop to normal position,because of the retractile effort of q, and will also return to 0 because of the retractile effort of g. On the lower side of the free end of o is a downwardly-projecting ledge or lip, 11, insulated from 0, but rigidly attached thereto. This lip is curved on a-line symmetrical with the hingewise movement of o, and is so placed that one of its ends is on a radial line from p through 8, and its other end reaches out sufficiently far to cover all of the determinators at m when 0 is at position ofrest against a". When the various parts are at'rest, '0 stands uponm, and t is not in contact with u,- but when any one or more of the determinators is oscillated into position, as in Fig. 9, 12 will slide up and over 1 onto it, which latter, being higher than m, operates to bringt and it into contact. While 0 rests on is it will be seen that the upward extension of Z by contact with the outward side of '0 operates to prevent the return of j to normal position. In other words, 9 is locked into position and will remain so looked after the operator withdraws his finger from the letter-key. If 0 is caused to oscillate by reason of the contact of t and a while j is looked, as above, at the moment that 8 passes beyond the place normally occupied by each deterniinator thus withdrawn and locked, 22 will also slide past said determinator and leave it free to return to normal position. When 1; has thus passed beyond and released the last one of any combination of tlie determinators, the free end of 0 falls down into place, with 'v resting on 'm, u ceases to impinge upon t, and 0 is free to return to r.

The main circuit of a telegraph line is brought through my instrument by way of s and j, as above. There is also placed in said circuit the magnet w. The armaturelever of w is formed as at m a: 00, Fig. 2. This armature-leveris provided with a governor-wheel, 3 on its rear end, and an inking-wheel, z, and rotary stylus or writing-wheel 2 on its front end. At moments of demagnetization z is pressed down upon the platen-Wheel u by the action of a spring (not shown) housed in the hollow boss a a. As it revolves, a paper tape is fed along between its upper side and the feed-rollers b b. At moments of demagnetization 2 is pressed down, as before stated, and

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an ink-mark-longer or shorter, according to this shaft is also the governor-driving wheelv d d, which operates to revolve the governorwheel y a given distance, as hereinafter explained. The motor 0 e is made in the wellknown form used for ringing electrical bells, with this difference: In place of the bell-clapper-is an arm provided with a spring tongue or pawl, as shown in Fig. 3, which pawl at each oscillation of said arm turns the wheel with which it engages the distance of one tooth,thus communicating intermittent rotary movement to the main shaft 0 c.

The governor-wheel 3/ (see Figs. 13, 14, and 15) is mounted on the rear end of m, and at moments of magnetization of w presses down upon (1 d, which causes it to revolve a given distance in opposition to the helical spring ff, which is chambered into it and connected to it and 00. One element of the local circuit is brought into the governor-wheel through a, and the other element is connected with it on the hub of the governorwheel through the spring-tongue g g. \Vhen the main-line circuit is closed, 3 presses down upon (1 d and revolves until 9 g rests upon the insulated peg h h, which breaks the local circuit and stops the motor. \Vhen the main-line circuit is broken, 3 retreats from d d and revolves backward by the retractile effort of ff until 9 g is off of h h and the local circuit is closed, as before. A projection, i t, on a, coming in contact with the end of g g, arrests the movementof y when revolving backward by the retractile effort of f f, as before stated.

The amount of spacing after each completed telegraphic character is determined by the distance between 5'5 and h h, as it is evident that after the final closing of the main linein the production of each completed character the motor will continue to move the main shaft until the point of cont-act between 1 and g g has shifted from i i to h h. As a means of utilizing the entire available surface of the recording-tape, I have made the writing-wheel adjustable. (See Figs. 11 and 12.) A screwthread is out upon the supporting-studjj, on which is closely fitted the threaded sleeve or nut k It. On this sleeve the writing-wheel z turns freely, being secured in place on is k by the tightly-fitting washer Z l. The method of adjusting 2 so that it will stand over any desired section of the recording-tape is obvious. In Fig. 11, m m represents a section of the recording-tape.

As before stated, by my invention telegraphic signals are made and recorded at moments of demagnetization. When the instrument is at rest, the main-line circuit is closed through 8 andj,and thelocal circuit is broken at h h. In transmitting, the operator simply depresses any desired letter-key, thereby oscillating the rear end of the keylever to which said letter-key is attached against the stopcushion 6. Beyond this initial act of the operator the operation of transmitting and recording is purely automatic. If, for example, the operator wishes to transmit the Morse signals for the first letter of the alphabet, he simply depresses the button answering'to said letter in the keyboard, and then quickly withdraws his hand. By this initial act of the operator certain of the bails g are lifted simultaneously, oscillating the free ends of the particular determinators j to which they are attached into position, as in Fig. 9. The setting of the determinators, as above, breaks the main circuit by withdrawing the first determinator from contact with 8. At the same time 1) moves up and over Z onto 7c of the first, third, and fourth determinators and locks them, as before explained. At the same time, also, it is lifted up into contact with it. hen the main circuit is broken, as above, 10 becomes demagnetized, zdrops down upon the recording-tape intervening between it and a, 9 is lifted from d d and by the retractile effort offf is shifted axially, so as to bring i i and 9.9 together, thus closing the local circuit. The motor now turns a, which oscillates 0 in a direction contrary to the retractile effort of q, causing s to close main circuit 011 the second determinator and break it again for the space of the third and fourth, and again close it on the fifth, at which time 1; passes from k on fourth determinator to m of the fifth determinator, (the first, third, and fourth determinators having respectively returned to normal position in the meantime,) if drops down out of contact with a, and 0 returns to a. As 0 returns, 8 slides back over the contact-points of the several dcterminators before passed and comes to rest on the first determinator.

It will be seen that the main circuit is closed during the return of s and thereafter, and being held in contact with d (I, is shifted axloeal circuit is broken and a ceases to move. It will also be seen that the movement of a while y is moving from [L h around to and under g pays out a sufficient amount of the recording-tape to indicate the space between letters. Of course, at moments of magnetization, as in the act of producing spaces or breaks in letters, the governor-wheel will be caused to move more or less in the same direction as when finally breaking local circuit; but as these spaces are less than that between letters, the governor-wheel has opportunity to recover its position, through the retractile effort of f f, before h h reaches 9 g.

In case of a distant operator working his instrument, all other instruments in circuit will automatically record. as above, without any movement of 0. In this connection it will be proper to state that in the case of two or more of my instruments working in the same circuit it is not necessary that the several motors should move synchronously. If one motor move more rapidly than another, the characters recorded on its tape will simply be coarser, and vice versa.

I do not confine myself to the use of a recording-tape, as it is evident that the vibrations of 00 may be interpreted as in an ordinary ially until it h is brought under 9 y, when the IIC sounder, but I lay no stress upon this point, closer, substantially such as s, a series of keyas the principal object of my invention is to provide a practical instrument for comparatively unskilled operators. Another object of my invention is to considerably increase the speed of transmission over that of the ordinary Morse key; and still another object is to obviate errors by producing the various signals with mechanical accuracy and precision.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A circuit-breaker of a main-line telegraphic circuit, composed of a number of movable arms, substantially as j, in combination with means, substantially as a and g, for simultaneously arranging the free ends of said arms according to a redetermined scheme, and means, substantia ly as Z and o, for locking or retaining the same when so arranged, substantially as set forth. I

2. A circuit-breaker of a main-line telegraphic circuit, composed of a number of movable arms, substantially as j, in combination with means, substantially as a and g, for simultaneously arranging the free ends of said arms according to a predetermined scheme, means, substantially as Z and v, for looking or retaining the same when so arranged, and means, substantially as 0, t, and u, whereby v is caused to move out of engagement with Z, thereby unlockingj and permitting its return, substantially as set forth.

3. A circuit-breaker of a main -line telegraphic circuit, composed of a number of movable arms, substantially as j, in combination with means, substantially as a and g, for simultaneously arranging the free ends of said arms according to a predetermined scheme, means, substantially as s, for automatically closing said circuit, and means, substantially as 0, t, and u, whereby s is carried eXcursively over j, and caused to close circuit intermittently according to a predetermined arrangement of j, substantially as set forth.

4.. A circuit-breaker of a main-line telegraphic circuit,composed of a number of movable arms, substantially as j, in combination with means, substantially as a and g, forsimultaneously arranging the free ends of said arms according to a predetermined scheme, means, substantially as s, for automatically closing said circuit, means, substantially as o, t, and a, for carrying s excursively over and means, substantially as q, for returning 0 after each eXcursive oscillation of the same,substantially as set forth.

5. A circuit-breaker of a main -'line telegraphic circuit, composed of a number of oseillating arms placed side by side, substantially such as j, the free ends of which are adapted to be simultaneously set or arranged with reference to each other, so as to form and represent collectively the dots, dashes, and spaces of any letter of the Morse alphabet, according to a predetermined scheme, in combination with an eXeursively-traveling circuitlevers, substantially such as a, and a series of intermediate bails, substantially such as 9, whereby an initial movement of. a is communicated to j, and the excursive travel of s is limited and determined, according to a predetermined scheme, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a circuit breaker, substantially such as j, and eXcursively-traveling circuit-closer, substantiallysuch as s, and a recording apparatus consisting of a magnet, such as w, an armature lever, substantially such as x, a platen-wheel, substantially such as u, an inking-wheel, substantially such as z, and a rotary stylus, substantially such as z, all as and for the purpose described.

7. In automatic telegraph keys and registers, the combination of a circuit-breaker, sub-' stantially as j, a circuit-closer, substantially as s, a magnet, as w, provided with an armature lever, substantially as x, and means whereby the vibrations of w are caused to close and also break a local circuit, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination of the cam Z and plane surface on the free end of j and the downwardly-projecting lip v on 0, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination of the magnet w, the armature-lever 00, the governor-wheel y, and the governor driving wheel d (1, whereby (when d dis in motion) at moments of mag -netization of w the said governor-wheel. is pressed down upon the said governor-driving wheel and caused to rotate a longer or shorter portion of a revolution, according as said moments of magnetization of w are longer or shorter.

10. The combination of the magnet w, armature-lever w, governor-wheel y, and helical spring f f, whereby at moments of demagnetization of 'w (the front end of :20 being. pressed down by the spring housed in the hol-. low boss on a, and consequently the rear end of ac lifted so as to clear 3 from contact with d d) y is permitted and caused to return to normal axial position, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of the magnet w, the armature-lever x, the governor-wheel y, the governor-driving wheel d d, the insulated pin it h on y, and the motor-cireuit-closing spring tongue 9 5 whereby after d d has caused 3 to rotate a given distance the motor-circuit is broken at h h, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of the magnet w, armature-lever x, helical spring f f, stop '5 i, and spring-tongue g. whereby the axial return movement of y (at moments of demagnetization of w) is arrested, and the motor-circuit closed, substantially asset forth.

13. The combination of the rotary stylus or writing-wheel z with the laterally-adjustable sleeve is k, retaining collar H, and threaded stud j j, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination of means, substantially as j and s, for breaking and closing atelegraphic IGC circuit, means, substantially as u, m m, z, z, a2, and w, for recording the signals thus made at moments of demagnetization of w, means, substantially as e e, for driving the recording mechanism, and means, substantially as y, f f, i i, and g 5 fof the purpose of closing and also breaking a motorcircuit, all automatic in their operation after the operators initial touch upon any given member of the key- 10 board, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. The combination of means, substantially as a, g, s, andj, for automatically break- 

